The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 maleate reprograms metabolism to promote RGC differentiation and regeneration in retino-visual centers.

Metabolic collapse of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) onsets glaucoma, yet no approved drug directly protects these neurons. Through a live-cell mitochondrial screen in human stem-cell-derived hRGCs we uncovered WAY-100635 (WAY), a clinically tested 5-HT1A antagonist, as a systemic neuroprotectant. WAY triggers a reversible cyclic-AMP surge that activates PGC-1α-driven reversible mitochondrial biogenesis and suppresses apoptosis. In glaucoma associated OPTN E50K hRGCs, WAY restores mitochondrial fitness, dampens excitotoxicity, and reprograms metabolism toward aerobic glycolysis, while in progenitors WAY boosts mitochondrial cristae maturation, oxidative phosphorylation, and cell-cycle exit to accelerate RGC specification. Daily intraperitoneal dosing preserves RGC bodies, neural activity, promotes axon regeneration into the optic nerve and vision centers after optic-nerve crush, as well as shows RGC protection and maintenance of visual acuity in chronic ocular hypertension glaucoma. As the non-invasive neuroprotective therapy with a human safety profile, WAY addresses a critical gap in glaucoma care and potentially for other mitochondrial optic neuropathies.